University Heights, San Diego: Homes for Sale & Neighborhood Guide
A walkable mesa-top neighborhood between Hillcrest and North Park, with Craftsman homes, canyon views and Trolley Barn Park.
University Heights is a San Diego neighborhood north of Hillcrest and west of North Park, mostly in ZIP 92116. It was laid out in 1887–88 around a planned college that was never built, and the State Normal School, which later became San Diego State, opened here in 1899. In September 2026 the 92116 median detached sale was $1,187,000 (GSDAR). University Heights has about 1,700 detached homes and 6,200 attached homes such as condos, townhomes and apartments (U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024).
Boundary: approximate neighborhood outline by Jamile Storck and Jed Bratt. Map tiles © Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, NGA, EPA, USDA, NPS, © OpenStreetMap contributors.
University Heights Market · September 2026
ZIP 92116 · compared with September 2025
Source: Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® Local Market Update for 92116 (Kensington, Normal Heights), September 2026 (current as of Oct 5, 2026). Sept 2025 figures are as shown in the same report. All data from the San Diego MLS. Medians do not account for sale concessions. Small sample sizes can swing percentages.
University Heights Homes for Sale
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Living in University Heights
The vibe
University Heights has Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Revival homes next to small apartment buildings and condos, many on streets that end at canyon edges overlooking Mission Valley. Park Blvd and Adams Ave have restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
Source: University Heights Historical Society.
Things to do
Trolley Barn Park, on Adams Ave, opened in 1991 on the site of the 1913 streetcar barn. Mission Cliff Gardens was a popular botanical garden here from 1898 until it closed in 1929, and its cobblestone wall still stands along Adams Ave.
Source: University Heights Historical Society.
Schools
Birney Elementary
Grades K-5
Ratings out of 10: ELA and math = % of students meeting or exceeding the 2025 CAASPP standard, divided by 10; overall = average of the two. Source: California Dept. of Education (caaspp-elpac.ets.org). School assignment changes, so confirm with the district before you buy.
Getting around
SR-163 and I-805 border the neighborhood, and MTS buses run on Park Blvd, Adams Ave and El Cajon Blvd. Downtown is about 10 minutes south by car.
Source: San Diego MTS.
Neighborhood Insight
The State Normal School moved to the new San Diego State campus in 1931, and its old site on Park Blvd is now the San Diego Unified headquarters. Mission Cliff Gardens, established by John D. Spreckels in 1898, closed in 1929. Its cobblestone wall still stands on Adams Ave.
Source: University Heights Historical Society.
Around University Heights
University Heights FAQ
Where is University Heights in San Diego?
University Heights is north of Hillcrest and west of North Park, on the mesa above Mission Valley, mostly in ZIP 92116.
What was the median home price in University Heights in September 2026?
For ZIP 92116, the September 2026 median sale price was $1,187,000 for detached homes and $706,559 for attached homes (GSDAR Local Market Update). ZIP 92116 also includes Normal Heights and Kensington.
How long are University Heights homes taking to sell?
In September 2026, detached homes in 92116 sold in a median of 26 days and attached homes in 23 days (GSDAR).
Which schools are in University Heights?
San Diego Unified runs Birney Elementary at 4345 Campus Ave. Check your exact address with the SDUSD School Finder.
Where does the name University Heights come from?
The neighborhood was planned in 1887–88 around a college that was never built. The State Normal School opened here in 1899 instead.
Who can help me buy or sell a home in University Heights?
Jamile Storck (DRE 01920597) and Jed Bratt (DRE 01891062) help buyers and sellers in University Heights and across San Diego.
Neighborhoods Nearby
Twelve neighborhoods closest to University Heights, with Sept 2026 median sale prices by ZIP from GSDAR.
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